Hummus with Salsa and Grilled Eggplant- Bat Yam, Israel

Hummus is a staple in Israel, and Israelis have found many interesting delicious ways to serve it. Basic hummus is vegan and gluten-free and provides a good deal of nutrients. This version adds some spice, color, and interest to an otherwise simple dip. 

Two weeks ago my husband and I were in Israel visiting family.

We flew from Rome, Italy direct to Lod Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel- about 3 and 1/2 hours. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law picked us up from the airport and took us to their condo in Bat Yam- about a 20 minute ride. 

The beach in Bat Yam

Bat Yam is a very congested small older city in Israel that reminds me of the old Brooklyn with lots of apartment buildings and lots of people. 

However, it is being gentrified slowly but surely with modern high priced high-rises. Its location is superb, with many residences in walking distance to the beach. 

Bat Yam beach is beautifully alluring and attracts many tourists as well as locals. The beach street is lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels. We enjoyed a three block walk to the beach, getting a cup of coffee and a bite in the early evening, and watching the sun set. 

One evening my husband and I ordered coffee and a delicious appetizer that is made with hummus, salad, and grilled eggplant.

It was smothered with freshly chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, and pine nuts! Something very new to us and we did enjoy it!

Fresh produce in Israel is vine ripened and plentiful. In most of the cities, there are small stores selling produce on almost every corner in residential neighborhoods. Israelis in the cities are accustomed to buying produce daily. Bread ( but not gluten-free) is also freshly baked and sold in small bakeries in all the city streets. I was able to buy gluten-free bread and rolls in the freezer section only in larger supermarkets.

Ingredients

Homemade Hummus (recipe) or Oil-free homemade hummus

1/2 jar of chunky style salsa (mild, medium or hot) 

1/2 jar of grilled eggplant (they sell it in Israeli or Middle Eastern markets)

1/2 cup of chopped cilantro

1/4 cup of pine nuts

1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley 

Optional: Olive oil drizzle 

Directions:

On a flat or rimmed large plate assemble ingredients. Measure out 4 (1/2 cup )size of hummus and arrange on the plate like North East West South. Top each mound of hummus with 2 tablespoons of salsa and 2 tablespoons of grilled eggplant. Cover with cilantro, parsley and pine nuts. Drizzle with olive oil is desired.

During our 2 weeks in Israel, we stayed in Bat Yam for a total of 5 nights. The rest of our stay also slept at the apartments of cousins in Jerusalem and Rishon. 

In addition, we toured the cities of historical Sefat, the port city of Haifa, the Biblical city of Tiberias in the Galilee, and Ramat Aviv- the home of Hebrew University. This was our 6th visit to Israel, so have seen many of the other sites.

After 2 weeks, we flew back to Miami from Tel Aviv airport - 

a 13 hour flight!